oun ews NuMBER 5 VoLUME XXVIII Alumnus Olim, A eternum Amicus MEMPHIS, T E N NESSEE JUNE 1965 Commencement! Class of 1965 Joins Alumni Ranks Some 190 members of the Class of tor of the University's Space Radio 1965 moved into the alumni realm at Astronomy Program, received an hon­ 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 31, 1965, orary Doctor of Science degree. during the graduation exercises for The Reverend Henry R. Mahler, Jr., Southwestern's 116th Commencement. pastor of Woodland Presbyterian The ceremony was held in the Hubert Church in Nashville, Tennessee, re­ F. Fisher Memorial Garden on the ceived an honorary Doctor of Divinity campus. degree. Dr. Mahler is the Stated Clerk The Baccalaureate Service was on for the Nashville Presbytery, served the preceding day in Idlewild Presby­ as Moderator of the Synod of Tennes­ terian Church. Dr. U. S. Gordon '15, see in 1958, and presently serves as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church Chaplain of Nashville's Martha O'Bry­ in Gainesville, Florida, delivered the an Center. sermon entitled "Long Shadows," Elden C. Stimbert, superintendent based on Acts 5:12-16. of the Memphis City School System, An informal faculty reception, spon­ received an honorary Doctor of Hu­ sored by the Southwestern Woman's mane Letters degree. Dr. Stimbert has Club, was held for seniors, husbands, been connected with the Memphis wives, parents and friends on the Board of Education for almost 19 Palmer Hall terrace the night preced­ years, and has held his present posi­ ing graduation. tion since September, 1957. Commencement Address D r. Peyton N . Rhodes Hoyt B. Wooten, founder of WREC Delivering the Commencement Ad­ of pioneer Memphis families, Dr. Bar­ radio and television in Memphis and dress was Dr. John Osman H'53, for­ ton received his B.S. degree from currently Chairman of the Board of mer professor of philosophy at South­ Southwestern At Memphis with dis­ Cowles Broadcasting Service, Inc., re­ western and presently a member of tinction in physics, and his Sc.M. de­ ceived an honorary Doctor of Human­ the Senior Staff of the Brookings In­ gree in physics from New York Uni­ ities degree. He is the father of Mrs. stitution in Washington, D. C. and versity. Charles Brakefield (Arabia Wooten '42). Staff Director of the Urban Policy After ten years with United States Conference Program. Rubber Company and military serv­ Last Commencement for Honorary Degrees ice, he entered Union Theological Sem­ Dr. Rhodes Honorary degrees were conferred by inary in New York City and received Southwestern's 116th Commence­ retiring president Dr. Peyton N . his B.D. degree there in 1952. At that ment was the last for Dr. Peyton N. Rhodes to five distinguished gentle­ time he entered the ministry of the Rhodes, as president of the College. men, one an alumnus of Southwestern. Methodist Church in New York, and The tall, distinguished, and beloved The Reverend Charles A. Barton '37, has been with his present church for former physics professor retires on pastor of the First Methodist Church nine years. June 30, 1965; however, he will re­ of Jamaica, New York, received an Fred T. Haddock, professor of as­ main in Memphis and act as a con­ honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. tronomy and electrical engineering at sultant to the College, specializing in Born in Memphis, and a descendent the University of Michigan and Direc- the sciences. Dr. and Mrs. Rhodes Honored They searched the faces of faculty able Alumni Supper in Neely Mallory members in attendance and happily Memorial Gymnasium. Dr. David Al­ Alumni Day 1965- found many they knew, once feared, exander '53, president-elect, was intro­ but now revered! duced and spoke briefly. A Huge Success!! Over 700 Attended George M. "Smoky" Russell '56, re­ All of us, it is supposed, have mixed Over 700 faithful former Southwest­ tiring president of the Southwestern emotions about " change." We want ern students took part in the activities, At Memphis Alumni Association, an­ things to move along and keep in step, which were so carefully planned by nounced the new officers of the organ­ and yet there is an undisclosed desire Goodbar Morgan '31, director of alum­ ization and turned his duties and au­ to keep things always as they are. ni affairs, his staff and class repre­ thority over to the new president, Alumni Day, April 24, 1965, stirred sentatives. James M. Breytspraak '38. those two contrasting emotions, as A number of reunion class open Newly elected were: John C. Whit­ Southwestern alumni made their an­ houses were held on campus, highlight­ sitt '43, president-elect; Mrs. Harland nual pilgrimage back to the campus. ing all classes ending with a "5" or a Smith (Betty Bouton '47) secretary; On the site of old Fargason field "0." Wallace Mayton '40, council member­ they found a large hole, which, they The big spotlight was on the Class at-large, representing Shelby County; were assured, would evolve into a of 1940, celebrating its 25th reunion. Baxter Pouncey '41 of Crawfordsville, beautiful student center. In the large They held a luncheon, which featured Arkansas, and Murray Rasberry '36 of shaded area west of the refectory, they a most entertaining talk by W . H. Mc­ Helena, Arkansas, council members­ found a new and imposing Gothic stru­ Burney '40. at-large for outside of Shelby County. ture- a new men's residence hall, Alumni Supper Photos on page 2. which will replace the now defunct Dr. Julian Nail '43 gave a brief but Russell Perry, representing the mem- Stewart Hall. interesting talk, following the enjoy- ( Continued on next page) "SOUTHWESTERN NEWS" Published Five Times Annually by SouTHWESTERN AT M E M PHIS 2000 N . Parkway M emphis, T ennessee 3811 2 M ailed Second Class Postage Paid at Memphis, T ennessee D r . Alfred 0. Canon '44 D ean of Alumni and D evelopment Goodbar Morgan '3 1 D irector of Alumni Affairs K en Berryhill Editor Mrs. Prentiss Laster and Miss M arthanne Livingston Assistants Mrs. Arthur Birge (Jet H ollenberg '42 ) Class Notes Editor Alumni Day (Cont. from page 1) hers of his 1933 Class, presented to GIVE HIM THE CHAIR! I n appreciation fo r his hard work as president of the Alumni As­ THE ALUMNI DAY LUNCHEON FOR THE the College two large and impressive sociation during the past year, George M. CLASS OF 1940 featured an entertaining talk oil portraits of Dr. and Mrs. Rhodes. " Smoky" Russell '56 is presented a handsome by W . H . McBurney. Shown (l tor) are: M rs. These were unveiled at the Alumni Southwestern chair with engraved plate and Charles Freeburg (Catherine M oore), Mr. M c­ Supper. The portraits were painted by college seal. Jim Breytspraak '38 (right), new Burney, H arold Falls, M rs. P. N. Rhodes and J. Nelson Shanks, and were presented president, makes the presentation. Dr. Rhodes. in appreciation of the couple's many contributions to Southwestern. To Dr. Rhodes' surprise, he was pre­ sented, as a gift of the alumni, a cer­ tificate of title to the automobile which he had intended purchasing upon re­ tirement at the end of June this year! Following these fast-moving and emotional activities, a reception was held on the balcony of the gymnasium, honoring Dr. and Mrs. Rhodes and Dr. and Mrs. David Alexander. Only the High Spots In the brief space allotted here we could cover only the high spots of an action-packed day . Alumni Day 1965! If you missed it, you owe it to yourself to make plans now for Home­ coming Day in the fall and Alumni 0,. Day in the spring, and to visit the I campus every chance you have. You DR. AND MRS. DAVID ALEXANDER (Cath­ SHOWN IN FRONT• OF THE PORTRAITS will enjoy some wonderful memories!! arine Coleman) took an active part in Alumni presented to Southwestern by the Class of 1933 D ay activities. He becomes president of South­ are Russell Perry (class president), M rs. P. N. western At M emphis on July I , 1965. Rhodes and D r. Rhodes. New President ter, Mrs. Gavin M. Gentry (Mary Jane Coleman) '61; sister-in-law, Mrs. Dr. John D. Alexander John B. Coleman, Jr. (Sally Cross) Dr. John David Alexander '53, who '60; aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. will succeed Dr. Peyton N. Rhodes as Oliver P. Cobb, Jr. (Joye Fourmy) president of Southwestern At Mem­ '32, '42; Mr. and Mrs. William S. Cobb phis when the latter retires at the end (Charlene Tucker) '33, '34; Mr. and Mr. Breytspraak Mr. Whitsitt Mrs. H. Smith Mrs. Harry E . Cobb (Kate Weaver) President President-Elect Secretary of June, 1965, has maintained an of­ fice on campus since early April, and '38, '42; Charles P. Cobb '44; Mrs. has already become quite active in William H . Carney (Anna Louise campus affairs. Cobb) '35; and cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Inauguration plans will be an­ Rockne Glenn Lee (Marian Cobb, nounced later. Oliver P. Cobb, Jr.'s daughter) '56, Both Dr. and Mrs. Alexander (Cath­ '56; and Mrs. Edward Crudup (Mar­ arine Coleman '55) graduated from garet Cobb, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cobb's Southwestern, and the College seems to be a tradition in their families in daughter) '67. that the following members have at­ Dr. Alexander's family members who tended: attended are his sister and brother-in­ Mr. Mayton M r. Pouncey Mr. Rasberry law, Mr. and Mrs. J. U. Biedenharn Council Council Council Mrs. Alexander's mother, Mrs. John Member Mem ber Member B. Coleman (Janie Cobb) '29; sis- (Jane Alexander) '58, '59. 2 that manifests certain glaring weak­ rather God's man or woman rather From the nesses.